Lifesaving in the City of Pompano Beach has been evolving since 1949. Paul Hurt was the first lifeguard hired to patrol Pompano’s beach. Paul Hurt also has the unique distinction of being Pompano Beach Patrol’s first and only mounted lifeguard (1951-1953).  In 1950, Pompano Beach hired its second lifeguard. Cecil Miller a full-time police officer, served as a part-time lifeguard for one dollar per hour. Several years later (1954-55) the City added a second full-time lifeguard. For the first Pompano Beach Patrol members, the words "Back Up" and "Response Time" took on a whole new meaning. There was no Coast Guard in the area in the early fifties and the Florida Marine Patrol’s presence was rarely ever seen in Pompano. Ambulance service was supplied by Fannin Funeral Home out of Ft. Lauderdale. Fannin’s ambulance would drive to Pompano on a small two lane road known as Federal Highway. They would pick up their patient and return to Ft. Lauderdale to the only hospital in the area, Broward General.

During the early 1960’s Pompano Beach experienced changes socially and physically . In 1961 Pompano’s beach became available to many more citizens as a result of national efforts for integration. Although not as notable, the Pompano Beach Fishing Pier was added to the beach complexion(1962-63). The fishing pier has developed into several small shops, a seafood restaurant, and a bar.  The Pompano Beach Patrol continues to keep pace with developments in ocean rescue and the dynamic environment that is the City of Pompano Beach.  Evidence of this dynamic progressive approach to Beach Safety has been realized as the Pompano Beach Patrol was voted by Florida Beach Chiefs Association as the "Beach Patrol of the Year" in 2002.

Pompano Beach was awarded a Blue Wave Beach designation, along with five other Broward County municipalities, by the Clean Beaches Council.  The Clean Beaches Council is a Washington, D.C. based national non-profit organization devoted to increasing public awareness of environmental, health and safety conditions along our nation’s shoreline. For more information on the Clean Beaches Council, please visit their web site at www.cleanbeaches.org

Our Beaches

The Public beach is open 365 days a year.  Swimming areas guarded seven days a week  Swimming areas are guarded year round from 9 a.m. - 4:45 pm. The Beach Patrol consists of 17 highly trained men and women who protect swimmers along 1,000 yards of beach.  Agency certification is provided through the United States Lifesaving Association (USLA) Please read our 10 rules of safety

Beach picnic pavilions & sand volleyball courts/soccer courts

Pavilions and Courts are available on a first come first served basis, however, to rent either one for a special activity, an application must be made at the Pompano Beach Civic Center, 1801 Northeast 6 Street, 954.786.4111.

To learn more about our beaches please click here